The new Audi Q3 sets new standards in headlight development with lighting technology from ZKW. The technological highlights of the compact SUV include the digital Matrix LED headlights, which are developed and manufactured together with the technical experts at Audi and the lighting system specialists at ZKW. Furthermore, the new Audi Q3 offers high-resolution digital Matrix LED light based on micro LED technology for the first time. Each spotlight contains 25,600 individually controllable micro LED pixels that enable very precise light control and projection. The technology enables significantly better illumination of the road with higher contrast and adjusted brightness. The automatically controlled, glare-free high beam is thus considerably improved and achieves almost optimum illumination of the road at night. “Our new digital micro-LED technology gives the Audi Q3 unique lighting technology and sets new standards in the compact class,” explains Harald Humenberger, Senior Vice President R&D of the ZKW Group.

New design approach
The Audi Q3 stands out with its two-stage split headlight design. The upper section houses the LED daytime running lights and turn signals, while the main headlight modules are located below. This design has a particularly modern and compact look: the narrow upper light strip emphasizes the width of the vehicle, while the large lower section of the headlight conveys a technical, functional impression. This integrates the slim light module even more strongly into the front end and follows the design line with a wide single-frame grille and clear lines. The digital daytime running lights are also available with individually selectable digital light signatures in LED technology. This allows you to choose between different daytime running light designs.

Innovative lighting technology from ZKW
The sophisticated high-tech lighting module was developed at ZKW in close collaboration with LG Optics over several years of research and development. The complex system consists of 25,600 individual micro-LEDs, each measuring just 40 micrometers, whose light is focused through several precision lenses and projected onto the road. The front camera in the vehicle detects oncoming and preceding vehicles. The system then selectively switches off only those LEDs that would illuminate other road users – the rest of the road remains fully illuminated. With the ZKW high-definition LED module, lighting technology has reached a new level of precision while ensuring maximum road safety.

Driver assistance for greater road safety
But the new Micro LED technology can do even more. It works together with Audi driver assistance systems to enable targeted light projections. This allows the system to display light functions developed by Audi, such as a warning of slippery conditions, directly on the road surface or to adaptively illuminate certain areas, for example, on highways, the lane light with integrated orientation light for better lane guidance within the driver’s own lane. These integrated light assistance functions further increase road safety. For example, when changing lanes on highways, the new lane is intelligently illuminated. But the standard light functions are also integrated into the digital Matrix LED headlights, including static cornering and turning lights and dynamic turn signals.

(Photo credit: Audi)

TrendForce 2025 Global Automotive LED Market- Lighting and Display Product Trend
Release Date:
1. PDF (196 Pages)- 30 June 2025
2. EXCEL- 30 June 2025 and 31 December 2025
Languages: Traditional Chinese / English